George Jeffreys and the group of people who called the new Church movement "ELIM" held the same beliefs as other Christians, but with one important difference. They believed that God’s promises in the Bible about the Holy Spirit and healing were for Christians today. In other words, miracles didn’t stop after the Bible was written. The Elim pioneers had rediscovered God’s power, promised in the Bible to all who would completely commit their lives to following Jesus. It was a ‘re-discovery’, not a discovery, because it was nothing new. God had worked in power through different Christians throughout the centuries, right back to the dramatic miracles of the early Church so frequently mentioned in the Bible.
The basic teaching of Elim, which was publicised under the heading ‘The Foursquare Gospel’, highlighted this rediscovery: it stated that Jesus is the Saviour, the Healer, the Baptiser in the Holy Spirit and the Coming King.
During the journey from their cruel bondage in Egypt to the freedom of the Promised Land, the Israelites, exhausted and dispirited came upon an oasis called "Elim". (Exodus 15:27 NIV) Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees, and they camped there near the water. It would have been a place of shelter and refreshment in the wilderness. In this day and age life can sometimes seem like a wilderness, we hope our church can be an oasis on your journey.
Such ‘Pentecostal’ beliefs raised a lot of opposition from some traditional church leaders at the time, because miracles are always controversial. But the pioneers were just getting back to what Jesus had taught in the first place – after all, Jesus himself healed many people and had promised the Holy Spirit to his followers.
The name ‘Pentecostal’ comes from the account in Acts 2 when the apostles were visited by the Holy Spirit during the feast of Pentecost. We believe the power and presence of God is as real and relevant today as it was in Biblical times. God has not changed. We believe that God longs to transform lives, heal bodies and give new direction.
These doctrines were firmly ‘orthodox’ – shared in common with the historic Protestant denominations like the Anglican Church, Methodists, Baptists, etc, who all believe in ‘the Trinity’ – God in three persons: Father, Son (Jesus) and the Holy Sprit. This core belief is totally rejected by the so-called ‘Christian’ cults – Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons, etc.
Although the doctrine of the Trinity being firmly ‘orthodox’ – shared in common with the historic Protestant denominations like the Anglican Church, Methodists, Baptists, etc,there has been a difference of belief on the Ministry and gifts of the Holy Spirit, Divine healing and miracles being in opperation today. Some of the denominations mentioned claim that these ended with the death of the apostles.Whilst their view is respected many Members of Elim and other Pentecostal Churches still believe the truth of The Foursquare Gospel and that the Lord Jesus Christ is Saviour, Healer, Baptiser in The Holy Ghost and coming King.
Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and forever.
Elim took God at his Word and so God honoured that by delivering on his promises in the Bible. And he is still doing the same today!
These beliefs have now been accepted by many within the traditional churches, and are shared with many new church groups that have sprung up in the last 40 years – called ‘charismatic' churches or simply new churches.
But the vision wasn’t confined to this country. Today, Elim comprises over 500 churches in the UK and Ireland, but we are also linked to over 9,000 Elim churches in other countries. Elim is also in co-operative fellowship with thousands of Pentecostal churches around the world, and has missions work in over 40 countries.
The governing body of Elim is the annual conference. Over 2,000 people gather for a week of worship, teaching and fellowship, and time is set aside for ministers and delegates to discuss matters relating to Elim.
It is our belief that Elim has a significant part to play in the world today, and we are confidently looking forward to what God will do in the future. To find out more about Elim you can visit http://www.elim.org.uk/
Part of this article was taken from http://www.ashingdonelim.com/index.htm
with greatful thanks.
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